Lightweight Women's Single Sculls (LW1x) - Final

Fabiana Beltrame of Brazil must feel right at home in Bled. In 2011 she became a World Champion here at Bled and in the Bled International Regatta two days ago, Beltrame was first. Beltrame left the start the fastest and going through the middle of the race she had an open water lead. Poland’s Joanna Dorociak followed in second but really looked too far back to do any kind of attack on Beltrame’s lead.

Beltrame is from Rio de Janeiro and the question must be asked, what will she be aiming to do for the Rio Olympics given that the lightweight single is not an Olympic event. Will she go for the open single? Beltrame’s time of 7:45 certainly shows that the Brazilian has rowing class.

Meanwhile, Dorociak was being outsprinted by Shuai Guo of China2. The Chinese have been showing that they have a good closing sprint throughout this regatta and Guo followed that mould today. With Beltrame taking gold, Guo grabbed silver (and outdid her teammate) and Dorociak got bronze.

Results: BRA, CHN2, POL, CHN1, CZE, AUT

Gold – Fabiana Beltrame – Brazil

This place really inspires me, as it did in 2011. I have a lot of good memories here and I am sure I am stronger now than I was then. I am racing the single until the worlds and then will build a double for the Olympic Qualification in November.

Bronze – Joanna Dorociak – Poland1

There is a bit of tailwind, sometimes coming from the left. Also some waves, but I think they are good racing conditions.

B-final         

Olga Svirska of Latvia1 was the first out of the blocks and she managed to sustain the leading pace through the middle of the race. Svirska began her international career one year ago and she was racing a number of more experienced competitors. Then coming into the final sprint Anna Zabova of the Czech Republic1 got just a very slight leading margin. Both boats would have to race hard if they wanted to take first place.  Zabova had the higher rating and it served her well as she crossed the line in first by less than a second over Sviska.

Results: CZE1, LAT1, ALG, CHI, TUN, LAT2